The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-15
EDUCATING HORSES.
A System Of Management and Training
That Recommends Itself


| That Recommends Itself
The method employed by Rarey was
to deprive the horse of the use of hi;
limbs and then to cause him to realize
the utter uselessness of attempting tc
do otherwise than as the operator dc.
sired. The method is rather severe,
taken altogether, and though most ex.
cellent for vicious animals, is not adj
visable in the care of colts or of an an.
imal that is not vicious. The principal
thing, in training colt or horse that
is not vicious, is patience, and there is
a temptation to many to resort to
methods that are quicker and do not
require the exercise of patience. The
average colt or horse needs only to un-
derstand what is wanted of it to do it,
if the task is within the animals power.
But it can not always Immediately un-
derstand what is required, and the per-
sistence in teaching it this is where the
necessity of patience comes in.
But if some other means are found
necessary, the Rarey method may be
adopted. In the first place we must get
halter or bride upon the animal, and
that is sometimes pretty difficult thing
to do. Rarey sometimes used drugs to
quiet the horse, and that is permissible
if nothing else will answer, but never
should be advised if other means can
be employed. He would rnb little OF
the oil of cummin upon the hands, and
approach the horse, upon the windward
side, so that he could smell the oil. 1t
is said that as soon as the animal
smells the cummin he will permit the
man to approach him. When APP
preached little of the oil is rubbed
upon the nose, and it is said to make
the animal so docile that he can be led
anywhere. We have never seen this
done, and while it is one of the features
of the Rarey method, we must advise
caution in attempting thus to approach
dangerous animal. A vicious horse,
with both head and heels loose, is not a
very safe thing to trifle with.
The bride or halter once on, the
horse is next thrown upon his side. To
do this the left foot is lifted up to the
body and a strap is passed over the
knee and pushed over the lower pastern
joint over tine ankle and close to the
body of The arm. This brings the ami
NAL on three legs. on which he is COM
PEELED to stand for five or ten minutes.
Keep the foot close to the body by
tightening the strap. Perhaps the ami
NAL may jump around. some. Let him
jump as much as he likes, give him
bride room enough to do as he pleases.
He will soon learn that he can not get
the foot down, and that is the lesson to
be taught. Next moose strap about
the ankle of the right foot, and pass it
over the shoulder. The operator takes
hold of this strap and jerks the foot up,
bringing the horse down upon his knees.
1t is likely he will struggle, but not
long if his head is kept down and the
foot kept well up. He will pretty soon
show disposition to lie down. Give
him'all the encouragement possible to
do so by talking kindly and rubbing or
patting him with one hand while the
other is used to endeavor to push him
over. AS soon as he does lie down
it is likely that he will begin again to
struggle. Hold the head firmly to the
ground and keep the left foot firmly
back, and the struggle will soon end.
1t is better that two men should oper-
ate, though Mr.. Rarey never had an
assistant.
Once down and helpless and submits
sive let the work of kindness begin.
Allay the animal fears and calm his
nervousness. You have shown the
creature that you are his master, now
teach him that you are his friend. He
must be brought to realize that he is
safe in your hands and that you will
not hurt him, or permit him to be hurt.
His confidence must be aroused and
sustained. After talking kindly to him
and patting him for awhile the oper-
ator sits down upon the animal. then
lies down upon him, turns from side to
side, indeed making all the changes
possible, the more the better. Then
bring saddle and lay it gently upon
him; then all parts of the harness. APP
plying them piece by piece. When
these operations have been continued
for half or three-quarters of an hour,
and after the animal has ceased to
show any signs of fear. remove every
thing and encourage the animal to get
up. Sometimes this process is gone
through with several times, but once
will usually "break' the horse. But
whatever you seek to teach the animal,
there should be perseverance until the
work is accomplished; and, therefore,
if it is necessary to repeat the process
we have described to make the break
ing perfect, repeat it. Do not half do
it. Above all things avoid rough, loud
language. A horse does not like to be
sworn at. If it is a vicious horse he is
too much of gentleman" not to
know that profanity is very ungentle-
manly thing. The horse is capable of
high degree of education, but his
trainer needs to be educated before the
horse. Detroit Free Press.
A PRECIOUS NUGGET.
Story OF q Valuable Specimen in the MIN
eraIooicaI Cabinet inf Auxtria